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Jeremy's P.O.V

"I don't know what to say," Grace finally managed to whisper.

I had finished talking a while ago and an eerie silence had sat between us. Every word I'd spoken seemed to hang heavy in the air and I could still hear my own voice echoing in my head.

"I know it's a lot. I shouldn't have kept those things from you though," I said quietly.

"How are you feeling right now?" she asked.

I didn't respond right away. I wasn't sure what to say. I felt a little awkward to be honest. I've never been so vulnerable - never with Grace - and that wasn't something I felt too proud of. She was my wife and I'd kept so much of my past from her. I should have just been honest from the start. I just never thought things would go this far.

"I feel bare. I never wanted you to see my like this. I've never felt so open before," I said finally.

Grace nodded like she understood, but her face still crumpled with confusion.

"Why?" she asked.

I sighed softly before responding.

"I think I was afraid of what you'd think of me. I just wanted to keep my past as far away from you as possible. Letting you know as little as possible gave me a sense of control. You were one less person to pity me,"

"I'm glad you finally opened up," she said in response, " I don't mind seeing you like this. You're only human Jeremy,"

She gave me a tiny smile and then continued,

"Your father did so many wrong things to you and your mother. No one deserves to be treated like that - "

"Neither did you. And yet I did wrong by you for years Grace. I hate that I've become so much like him," my words came out bitter. My throat suddenly felt tight and I found it hard to swallow.

Grace shifted a little closer to me. We didn't say anything for a while. The rain had started falling heavier the sound like foot stomps on the roof.

"Do you think you've really forgiven him?" Grace looked at me intently.

"I really don't know. I said that I did, but I still get angry when I think about him and our last encounter. Mrs. Paul says forgiveness is a choice made daily, not a one fix wonder. I believe that. I believe that with time it will get easier to mean it when I say it,"

Grace's eyes shone when they met mine. I swallowed again. Hard.

"I don't think I'll ever get an apology from him though. He doesn't care to acknowledge the harm he caused me. I understand now that I made the same choices he made. I learned from him and repeated his behavior.
I'd always felt deep down that he owed me an apology, a genuine " I'm sorry." I think that would have made letting go a little easier, but I'm not going to get that anytime soon, if ever. I have to make peace with that.

My voice broke on the last line and before I could compose myself I felt it. A tear. It had formed out of nowhere and was now skidding down my face. There was no point hiding now.

I heard Grace's movement next to me as she slid off the couch and crouched beside me. Her arms were around my neck in two seconds, forcing my face to nuzzle the base of her neck.

I wept.

Images of my childhood trauma and the trauma I caused Grace flooded my mind That only made the crying worse.

How can she bear my presence after all the pain I've inflicted?

Grace's P.O.V

Stroking his skin. That's all I've been doing for what feels like an hour. His whole face was wet and the shirt I was wearing was soaked through. His hair tickled my face everytime he took a shaky breath, but I refused to move. He was delicate now. A version of the man I'd married, but hardly ever got to meet. I rocked him gently, believing now more than ever that it was better to let things out than to keep them bottled in.

"You're going to be okay," I found myself muttering while hoping it at the same time. My brain was a buzz with everything Jeremy had revealed to me so far. I pitied him.
I didn't know what it was like to have such a harsh upbringing. I also didn't know what it was like to have a strained relationship with a parent. My own father was always around me growing up and our relationship meant everything to me. I couldn't imagine not having my him in my life.

I wished Jeremy's father could see the damage he's done. I wondered if he himself was abused by his own dad? A cycle that continued throughout the years. A behavior passed on through exposure and picked up at will. Taught that it was okay to talk with your fists because you felt like it. How many other women, daughters, sons have been hurt? The thought made me shiver.

Jeremy may not realize it yet, but he was making progress at breaking that cycle.

"I'm proud of you," I whispered to him.
I've never said truer words. This wasn't just about us anymore.

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Hi everyone. I know this chapter took a really long time. I've been having a hard time finding inspiration to continue writing. I've been reading the comments on each chapter and I knew I had to come up with something for you guys. It's not much. It's not my favorite, but it's something. I hope you guys approve. Thanks as always for sticking with this story and for all the love and support. 💓❤️😊